New speaker system on a budget

[natebog]

Looking for new speakers after using a HTiB for years. A receiver has already been bought for me (Pioneer VSX-919AH-k) so I am just looking for a 5.1 speaker system. I'm in college, so the budget is pretty tight and I will be probably be able to spring for a nicer speaker set-up in about a year. Budget for this set is $500-900 or so.

[BigAl87]

May I suggest you this as surrounds.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...variation=PCHE

This as center.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENCC50

And this as main.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC300

79 + 69 + 258 = 406

And get this amazing sub for 299$

http://www.wwstereo.com/#/ecommerce/...rs/33/144989//

for grand total of 705$. You can't find a better bang for the buck as these spekers are all discontinued.

you can see the Energy speakers Owner Thread here.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=98103

[talstarone]

Well you will get a lot of Great Advice from the many wise members here on the Forum.
There are several Brands and Models that will fit in your Budget and Provide Great Performance To Match that New Pioneer Receiver.

I personally use Polk Audio Speakers(except for my surrounds)and have been thrilled with the performance they have delivered(especially if you consider the price as well).

The Polk Monitor 60's are FloorStanding Speakers that would work wonders as the Front L&R Speakers. They have (3) 5 1/4 inch woofers (polymer composite) and a 1 inch dome tweeter (silk and polymer combination).

They deliver a very Respectable Low End(Bass Response)and a Tight And Smooth Sounding Mid-Range.Add to that a tweeter that delivers smooth highs that arent too bright,nor too laid back and you have a speaker Great for Movies and Very Good with Music,as well. And due to the narrow front baffle on the speaker they seem to disappear into the soundfield.

Add a Polk CS1 Center Channel Speaker and you have a Great Match with your Center Channel Speaker.They use the same 1 inch dome tweeter as the Monitor 60's and (2) of the same 5 1/4 inch woofers for a Great Sonic Match.And all 3 of these Polk Speakers Have well Braced MDF Cabinets for less Resonance and a Solid Bass Line.

These Speakers can be found at www.newegg.com for the Incredible Price of $119.00 Each.
Heres the Link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290017

And a Great Price on the Polk CS1 Center Speaker for $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290022

And for the surrounds you have 2 choices.You can go with a Bipolar Designed Surround(which has drivers on both sides of the speakers firing sound at the same time.This effect delivers a surround sound field that has no dead or weak spots.

Polk has a Great Pair that can be used in bipole or Dipole Mode in the Polk FXi3's.They are a little pricey at $175.00 a pair but they include a built in keyhole mounting slot for hanging on the wall.
They can be found at the Polk Outlet Store on E-Bay which is an authorized Polk Dealer and includes a Full Warranty.
Here is a link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/FXi3-White-Surro...d=p4634.c0.m14

Or if you need a slightly less expensive Surround Speaker then a Direct radiating Polk Speaker and a wall mount can work Very Well Also.
A good choice for size,performance,and price is the Polk Monitor 30.
Also found at NewEgg at this link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290094

Or you can buy these Polk Sattelites that offer good performance and a Great Price Here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/RM101-black-Sate...4.c0.m14.l1262

There are others that will offer their opinions as well but these are some Great Performing Polk Audio Speakers for you to consider.

[tbizzle]

Well you're off to a good start with that receiver, and a nice budget too. Some great brands to look into are Infinity, Energy or Polk. Personally, I love my Polks, especially the performance for the price. And you're in luck, right now the Polks are on sale.

I agree with Talstarone, a great sound system to start with would be the Polk Monitor 60's, CS1 and some Monitor 30 surrounds. BUT, since the Polks are on sale right now at Newegg.com, I would recommend spending a little more cash and getting the best of the Polk Monitor line. This would be the Polk Monitor 70's, CS2 and the Monitor 40 surrounds. These are all a little more powerful and definitely perform very well for the money. I have this exact setup and couldn't be happier!

Polk Monitor 70's - $356
Polk Monitor 40's - $150
Polk CS2 - $110
Elemental Designs A2-300 - $350

And most people on this forum will agree that the Elemental Designs A2-300 is a very good sub for the price, you won't be disappointed. Just go to monoprice.com for your speaker wire, sub cable, etc.

Hope this helps. BTW, the Newegg sale ends tomorrow for some of the speakers so I would jump on this soon!!

[callas01]

Natebog,

Both of what has been presented to you are good speakers. I have spent lots of time with both Polk and Energy. I would suggest you go listen to both, but if you cant I would tell you to get the Energys over the Polks. Not only because I own them but because overall they are a better speaker.

Sound wise the Energys will have superior Mid-range, have more accurate highs using the aluminum tweeter found in more high end speakers, the Polks highs are a little bright and slightly exaggerated, and the low end is about the same from the C-300s to the Monitor 60s. You will get more depth and warmth from the Energys, which will mean that music will sound better, detail and accuracy when listening to music. That doesn't mean the Polks will sound bad with music, just side by side, the Energys will outperform them. For HT they are both really good.

[BigAl87]

In my case I would not compare the 2 when it comes to SQ, Energy is far more superior in terms of built quality and sound. Ask anyone who actually had a chance to compare Polk Monitor and Energy C-Series as both Callas and I did you'll be stump by the Sound quality of these Energy puppies. Polks are great speakers far much easier to find and unlike Bose they put some research into them.

Botom line is Yes polk monitor are great budget speakers but as Callas said the Energys are far more balaced and easier to listen to for extended period of time at high volume and the result in Music listening is very noticeable.

Not to mentionned that you get a complete 5.1 for cheaper price then what the sub alone is worth. 705$ all included while the MSRP on the sub alone is 800$.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Not to mentionned that you get a complete 5.1 for cheaper price then what the sub alone is worth. 705$ all included while the MSRP on the sub alone is 800$.

Is their 10" sub really good enough to justify a $300 price tag? I don't know anything about this sub, but I'd probably lean towards an A2-300 for another $50 or just get a nice HDSUB-12 for under $200

[talstarone]

I will agree that Energy makes a very good speaker.But I will also agree with callas and suggest you audition speakers before you plan on making an investment that concerns this much money.
(If you take the time to audition some speakers)It could be you may find a brand different from either listed above that you perfer,but you will never know unless you have the chance to go and listen to them.

I will however submit that sound is subjective and what one may prefer may sound entirely different to another listener.So while we all have our own personal speakers and taste,it would be impossible for any of us to say exactally what you would like best(as your taste may be much different then any of ours).

As far as value for your money either brand listed is a win/win situation.But there are more brands of speakers then I can begin to number.One of those brands has a model that might seem as if it was almost made just for your particular tastes.

So I wish you much success in locating those speakers and hope they make your Home Theater experience far superior then you could ever have imagined.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Is their 10" sub really good enough to justify a $300 price tag? I don't know anything about this sub, but I'd probably lean towards an A2-300 for another $50 or just get a nice HDSUB-12 for under $200

I have never heard the eD sub, but when I heard the S10.3 which is not as good of a sub as the ESW-V10, I was quite surprised at the quality and deep sound that it has. It is punchy, fast, accurate, I heard it playing blues like music and it was rocking the whole showroom at 1/4 gain. I never would have thought that Energy would be good at subs too, but surprisingly they are. For a 10" it blew away my HD-Sub10. And rivaled most 12" subs I have personally heard.

[BigAl87]

Indeed the 299$ price tag is more than justified this sub was really 800$at MSRP and is truly amazing in terms of Sound quality it even more powerlful than the A2. If anyone can hear that sub I mean it's totally worth more the 299$.

Ya people will say it does not go as low 23hz vs 18hz but for god sakes the sonic bass accuracy is sinsational honestly. For music it's hard to beat and for HT I've heard fill a 20x20 room with ease. Really for people who did not know back in the day Energy was well known for the quality of their Subs here in Canada.

ESW-V10 is a far better product than the S10.3 that I have.

C-Series subs, I would just keep away from tho.

V Series stood for Veritas which was the High end Energy line, sadly abandonned by Klipsch.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by talstarone

I will agree that Energy makes a very good speaker.But I will also agree with callas and suggest you audition speakers before you plan on making an investment that concerns this much money.
(If you take the time to audition some speakers)It could be you may find a brand different from either listed above that you perfer,but you will never know unless you have the chance to go and listen to them.

I will however submit that sound is subjective and what one may prefer may sound entirely different to another listener.So while we all have our own personal speakers and taste,it would be impossible for any of us to say exactally what you would like best(as your taste may be much different then any of ours).

As far as value for your money either brand listed is a win/win situation.But there are more brands of speakers then I can begin to number.One of those brands has a model that might seem as if it was almost made just for your particular tastes.

So I wish you much success in locating those speakers and hope they make your Home Theater experience far superior then you could ever have imagined.

This is very helpful information you have here, yes Sound can be subjective I I also suggest to go listen to both but did you have a chance to listen to both?

Anyways don't get me wrong I like the Monitor as well but in my case I prefered Energy after hearing both.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

In my case I would not compare the 2 when it comes to SQ, Energy is far more superior in terms of built quality and sound. Ask anyone who actually had a chance to compare Polk Monitor and Energy C-Series as both Callas and I did you'll be stump by the Sound quality of these Energy puppies. Polks are great speakers far much easier to find and unlike Bose they put some research into them.

Botom line is Yes polk monitor are great budget speakers but as Callas said the Energys are far more balaced and easier to listen to for extended period of time at high volume and the result in Music listening is very noticeable.

Not to mentionned that you get a complete 5.1 for cheaper price then what the sub alone is worth. 705$ all included while the MSRP on the sub alone is 800$.

With all due respect, that is just a totally incorrect statement. Bose, like Polk, and most or all speaker manufacturers do plenty of research. Their marketing approach may be suspect for many, but they do in fact do plenty of research.

John

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by John72953

With all due respect, that is just a totally incorrect statement. Bose, like Polk, and most or all speaker manufacturers do plenty of research. Their marketing approach may be suspect for many, but they do in fact do plenty of research.

John

Glad to hear that but it does not really show as far as i'm concern having owned bose V201 and other bose prducts in the past I dunno where they reallly put their effort into exept for positioning drivers inside their boxes my friend, their speaker don't show much research in terms of material and quality built if you comapre with anything else on the market.

Anyways looking at the quality of the components my friend and the numbers on their accoustimass systems, there is nothing to justify their price though.

I meant it this way.

[talstarone]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

This is very helpful information you have here, yes Sound can be subjective I I also suggest to go listen to both but did you have a chance to listen to both?

Anyways don't get me wrong I like the Monitor as well but in my case I prefered Energy after hearing both.

Yes I have listened to both and have owned speakers from Mirage,Defenitive Technology,Polk Audio,Klipsch,and a few others. I personally own the Polk TSi-400 as my speaker but in listening to Monitors at friends Home Theaters they have impressed me extensively.

I never once degraded or said anything that was deragatory or negative about Energy(or any other speaker).I simply made a suggestion.Then responded to the question you asked.I have listened to both and my personal taste leads me to a different conclusion.

I mean no dis respect in any statement I have made,I simply have made a statement that I am sure most would agree with.With the vast number of different speakers produced to make the most informed choice any type of auditioning you can do is the best move one can make when looking to purchase a new set of speakers.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by talstarone

Yes I have listened to both and have owned speakers from Mirage,Defenitive Technology,Polk Audio,Klipsch,and a few others. I personally own the Polk TSi-400 as my speaker but in listening to Monitors at friends Home Theaters they have impressed me extensively.

I never once degraded or said anything that was deragatory or negative about Energy(or any other speaker).I simply made a suggestion.Then responded to the question you asked.I have listened to both and my personal taste leads me to a different conclusion.

I mean no dis respect in any statement I have made,I simply have made a statement that I am sure most would agree with.With the vast number of different speakers produced to make the most informed choice any type of auditioning you can do is the best move one can make when looking to purchase a new set of speakers.

I don't want people to misinterprete things when I post in forums either. Polk are great speakers. And I'm fine with anyone here liking Polk Audio speakers.

If there is one single brand where I feel is not giving the best pruduct for their price I would have to say Bose. I owned them also. As you pointed out also Sound is subjective and I mentionned that before in the Energy speaker thread where people may very well like Polk Audio over Energy.

It's a bit hard to fully express ourselves in writing cause we do not see the real state of mind of the person uneless it's a total praise our bashing others.

All in all it comes down to your ears. Anyways can't go wrong with neither of the 2 IMHO.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Glad to hear that but it does not really show as far as i'm concern having owned bose V201 and other bose prducts in the past I dunno where they reallly put their effort into exept for positioning drivers inside their boxes my friend, their speaker don't show much research in terms of material and quality built if you comapre with anything else on the market.

Anyways looking at the quality of the components my friend and the numbers on their accoustimass systems, there is nothing to justify their price though.

I meant it this way.

I'm trying to figure out a way to respond without making reference to a reply that completely ignores and does not address the issue of R&D or design. You may have owned some of their speakers in the past, and have not been dutifully impressed, but just because you aren't doesn't mean there is no R&D going on. Also, if you've ever heard their 901's, you wouldn't be so quick to judge.

I know that you're an Energy fan and that's terrific, after all we all have our favourites in this crazy hobby. Please however, there are many members here who feel just as strongly about their choice of speaker (including Bose), and they do not need someone bashing their preferred speaker.

The underlying tone of my original repy to your comment should have implied that, but I guess you missed that part.

John

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by John72953

I'm trying to figure out a way to respond without making reference to a reply that completely ignores and does not address the issue of R&D or design. You may have owned some of their speakers in the past, and have not been dutifully impressed, but just because you aren't doesn't mean there is no R&D going on. Also, if you've ever heard their 901's, you wouldn't be so quick to judge.

I know that you're an Energy fan and that's terrific, after all we all have our favourites in this crazy hobby. Please however, there are many members here who feel just as strongly about their choice of speaker (including Bose), and they do not need someone bashing their preferred speaker.

The underlying tone of my original repy to your comment should have implied that, but I guess you missed that part.

John

It's ok I have no problem with that and I did not say that they were bad either but let's face it price performance ratio is far from the competition and I know we are not going to come to an agreement on that but ya v901 have to at least be 10 time better that V201 or 301 considering the price tag, I would hope so.

Anyways glad to hear that but I'm not just talking desingn here my point was simply refering to the quality of material use in the speaker must have something to do wit R&D somewhere. Companies are often looking for new material that could possibly make their speakers sound better. I hope you are not upset but I have no problems with you straightening the facts. Thanks for your input!

Now would you recommend our friend here to go spend as much as 199$ for a pair of v201 when you can gt some C-200 for 149$ just a thaught like that.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Indeed the 299$ price tag is more than justified this sub was really 800$at MSRP and is truly amazing in terms of Sound quality it even more powerlful than the A2. If anyone can hear that sub I mean it's totally worth more the 299$.

Ya people will say it does not go as low 23hz vs 18hz but for god sakes the sonic bass accuracy is sinsational honestly. For music it's hard to beat and for HT I've heard fill a 20x20 room with ease. Really for people who did not know back in the day Energy was well known for the quality of their Subs here in Canada.

ESW-V10 is a far better product than the S10.3 that I have.

C-Series subs, I would just keep away from tho.

V Series stood for Veritas which was the High end Energy line, sadly abandonned by Klipsch.

I'm sorry, but the Energy 10" subwoofers are not more powerful than the A2-300's. The A2-300 is still one of (if not the best) best bang-for-your buck subwoofers under $500. The A2-300's lower tuning means it can go much lower than the Energy subwoofer. It is tuned much lower which means a lot in home theater and musical terms. It also has great output to around 16hz where it starts to drop off. The area of it's 12" driver will also be able to displace much more air than the Energy subwoofer while still having a great amount of excursion. The enclosure of the A2-300 is also quite large, not small. This is very important because the enclosure was engineered to have the most amount of output possible while maintaining it's musicality.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

It's ok I have no problem with that and I did not say that they were bad either but let's face it price performance ratio is far from the competition and I know we are not going to come to an agreement on that but ya v901 have to at least be 10 time better that V201 or 301 considering the price tag, I would hope so.

Anyways glad to hear that but I'm not just talking desingn here my point was simply refering to the quality of material use in the speaker must have something to do wit R&D somewhere. Companies are often looking for new material that could possibly make their speakers sound better. I hope you are not upset but I have no problems with you straightening the facts. Thanks for your input!

Now would you recommend our friend here to go spend as much as 199$ for a pair of v201 when you can gt some C-200 for 149$ just a thaught like that.

Thanks Al for your response. For the record, other than the 901's , I am not a fan of Bose products myself and I know full well, like you and others, that their marketing hype is exactly that...hype! As such, I couldn't honestly recommend a pair of Bose speakers to anyone. Their power conditioners OTOH, if you can get a deal, are pretty decent products.

Regarding your question about whether I would recommend the Bose V201's over the Energy C-200's...my honest answer would be to say neither. I think the OP should buy him/herself a pair of good fronts for the budget they had in mind. They can be monitors or floorstanders, but spending $500 on an entire 5.0 or 5.1 setup seems to me to be an invitation for disappoinment. Trust me when I say that a good 2.0 setup is as equally satisfying, if not more so, than a poor 5.1 setup. People are in a rush to get the complete surround experience and forego quality over instant gratification.

I understand that people have budgets and circumstances which only afford them to do so much, and I completely understand that, but to acquire a decent sounding system takes patience and sacrifice. Start with a 2.0 setup and work your way up....that is my recommendation.

John

[Beta Man]

yep.... I agree.... start with a 2-channel.